I'm 72, so I've seen a couple of trailers similar to this. I imagine, because of the age, that is not a fridge, but an icebox. Still very functional, with a drain that goes out to the ground. The sink will be the same, so you might have to put a pail under the trailer or a container under the sink in the cupboard. The oven is rare, usually it's just a two hob stove. The tap for the sink is for when you're hooked up to water. The other side is a hand pump for camping without hookups. You'll want to sanitize the fresh water tank if you're going to drink the water. Usually, there's a cupboard for a porta-potty that you can slide in, no raised bit on the floor. The louvered glass windows was made so you can have air flow even when it's raining. The screen was probably added later, but maybe not, if your trailer was high end, which it appears to be. I hope you keep the propane light. Most people switch them out, which is a shame. Jon in rural BC, Canada
This going to be such an epic journey. But much like eating an elephant, take it on one bite at a time. Make sure your frame and suspension is solid. Then work on the shell. I would suspect that most of the water damage is a result of water leakage around the perimeter of the windows. remove the windows, repair any structure and reinstall using butyl tape. Resist the urge to use silicone, it will not last and can turn into a real mess. Vintage Trailer Supply will be a great source of bits & pieces to bring your little trailer back to its glory. Reach out if you have any questions, I have been slowly rebuilding one of the first Boler trailers made in Canada, a 1968 model.
Don't need to tell you that there are A LOT of videos on RU-vid about RV renovations. During the pandemic (since new RV prices went crazy), I renovated my 30-year-old pop-up trailer. New flooring, new bench, new electrical system, new power roof vent, etc...but I decided I didn't want/need to take on trying to refinish the countertops. It's plenty of work but rewarding. Tent camping is great, but as you get older, the idea of not sleeping on the ground gets increasingly more appealing. 🙂 The trailer you purchased reminds me a lot of the first trailer that I can remember my parents owning. Theirs was a bit larger, but the same style with the same front dinette and same louvered windows on the side. One thing I will caution you about (and that I specifically remember because of 'incidents' on more than one trip) is that the window glass in those vintage trailers is much closer to residential windowpanes than to the automotive-style glass that are now used on trailers. Consequently, it was not unusual for rocks to be kicked up by the tow vehicle's rear tires (or other passing vehicles/trucks) during travel and shatter those front plate glass windows. I couldn't get a good look at the front windows in your video, but if it hasn't already been done (and by the looks of the rest of the rig, I would assume that it hasn't), you might want to plan to replace the windows (at least in the front, and maybe the back too), with more modern windows with stronger glass. Good luck on your project. I'm interested to see it as you progress!
It will be a big project but when you're done... I think you'll be so in love with what your passion and grit and hard work produced!!! What a fun project to tackle and you can definitely work to make that space cozy and lovely for all your outdoor adventures!!!
Amanda I'm so excited!!! I've watched you forever and I'm sure I've contributed to your views over the years! I watch your cooking videos every year for inspiration before all my camping trips. My partner and I are a lot like you and Nick. We camped with a tent for about 3 years then bought a tear drop trailer. I am so excited for you. Don't get overwhelmed just keep your eye on the price my friend!
It's been a ton of work so far, but the end result is still very motivating! I can't wait until we're done and can take it on long trips! Thank you for all the views over the years 😊 Once we're on the road with the trailer, I'm hoping to do even more camp cooking videos!
We bought a small camper that was used in 2019. It is awesome and we love it. We are a lot like you and Nick. We cook out on the fire. I have used the propane stove top once or twice. The microwave gets used for a rainy day quick heat up meal, but usually it's the coffee and sugar keeper. :) You will love your camper and I will love watching you redo it all. Remember this- Command Hooks are your friends.
This is such a new experience for us, but so far it's a lot of fun and we're really looking forward to actually taking the trailer out on trips this Fall! I think we're going to love it too!! Thank you for commenting!
Where's the LOVE button?? I'm excited to watch this happen. My husband and I love tent camping but recently we've had some conversations about getting a small trailer. I'm opposed because I like the simplicity of tent camping. But I'm also tired of freezing in the winter and I've had a bit of jealousy watching others at campgrounds retire into their campers at night. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
How exciting! Can’t wait to see the evolution. Can you share a picture of the code of ethics and the thoughts and comments document. I’m sure they’re an awesome slice of the 60s. Congratulations!
VERY EXCITED for this project! After tenting for may years, I think you will enjoy this trailer. Myself, a 69 yr. Old retired female, I have converted a 6x10 cargo trailer. ( many people have helped) I am loving it!
We had the same approach when we bought our 16ft 1973 Travelaire trailer. Things we didn't check, but it just felt right. Our first camper bought July '24. Good video.
Welcome to the vintage camper world. We renovated a 1969 FAN Styleliner it was $$$ and hard. I’ll be following along for sure. We have had ours for years now and still love it.
We kept the gas light but converted it into an electric using a lamp kit. We don’t have propane in our camper so we cook outside but I do have a burner for inside if needed. USB faucet is awesome! Lots of ideas on RU-vid. I looked at van ideas bc ours is 16 feet but has bunks and a bathroom.
So stoked for your guys! This is going to be quite the adventure! My husband and I purchased a 1970 truck camper 3 years ago thinking it needed minor repairs and a face lift. We ended up rebuilding the vast majority of it. Campers are great at hiding the bigger issues. Zero regrets though! We love our tiny home.
Hi Amanda. I'm so excited to follow your trailer renovations. My husband and I started car (or van really) camping a couple years ago. We set up a really nice bed in the van, have a screened dining tent, and a regular tent that attaches to the back of our van. So, a living room, dining room, and bedroom when we camp :). We are going to try to camp 3x per year, Monday to Friday each time, and aim to get to as many Ontario, Canada Provincial Parks as we can for our adventures. Maybe one day we'll follow your lead and get a cute little trailer instead. Good luck...Ann
Great buy! You 2 will have so many adventures in your little towable home on wheels. My husband and I have built 2 homes in our over 40 yrs together and we've learned two things: everything costs more and takes longer than expected. Don't get discouraged, just keep your focus on the finish line. When it's done you'll have so much fun using it to explore Outside! 😊
Awe, Amanda, I am so excited for you guys! What a cool camper! I am looking forward to your upcoming videos, I know you guys will make this little trailer so cute & cozy. Love your channel and your beautiful soul. Happy Camping!:-)
Looking forward to watching your progress. Bought an RV the same way. Just paid cash and then got to work on it. It's an adventure getting these old things back in good working order.
I'm so excited for you and to share in this new adventure. My husband did a reno on a similar-sized trailer, just to use as a guest room on our property. It was much more that he thought it would be, but it turned out really cute. It had turquoise stove and "ice box", which he spray painted, but we're afraid to try lighting the stove.
Very cool, Amanda! My parents bought a 60s camper very similar to this one and restored it and love camping in it in the summer. If I recall, they ended up replacing the fridge (easy to fit a replacement) and I think had to find a "new" old stove to replace the one that came with it. What a fun project for you! Can't wait to see what you do with it
I'm excited for you! This will open up a whole new world of adventures and experiences. Make sure to roof is in good shape. That will spoil all your hard work if it leaks. Looking forward to following your project.
Yes, I’m excited too! I love your tent camping videos. But because I own a small camper, I am interested in your trailer video too. I think you made a good choice about getting a vintage trailer. New ones are cheaply made and are waste of money. Good luck with the work, though!
You can do this. Just take your time and take lots of pictures when you take stuff apart. Dicor and Alpha roofing systems both make good roofs that you can easily put on your camper. Have a great day.
This is so cool! I am super excited for you guys! I can imagine there might be ways to replace some of the heavier components with lighter materials such as the kitchen counter and the cabinet doors and such. That 60s radio might play 8-tracks instead of cassette tapes! lol I can't wait for the next video! ❤
We just bought one too! We got it in April and we are finally ready to take it out this weekend! We fixed the leaks and the major pain points of water damage but I will more aesthetically do things while in the off season this winter. Luckily we have a big enough garage to fit it in so that will make it possible to work on it later in the year ❤
I'm excited!! I am Really looking forward to watching the camper turn into your second home! The two of you will have some headaches during the renovation. However, enjoying the end results will be worth everything.
Can't wait for the next episode. While we are van people, I just love the vintage trailers. I think start with all the safety issues (maybe hire someone to go over electrical and propane systems, heating, etc to be sure you will be safe driving and camping, check tow weight, reseal everything, check for mold, etc and then the fun things you were looking forward to can gradually happen. With all that storage, maybe throw in a portapotty or luggable loo as others have suggested for those middle of the night calls. I'm sure it all feels very overwhelming, but it you connect with other vintage trailer owners, you will have much guidance and hand-holding when needed.
sooo Happy for y’all!!! I’m looking forward to seeing g renovations!! ❤ you can keep the rules of camping as a decor piece to keep!! Can’t wait til you name her!! Or him!!!
Great project and it looks like it will be a fair amount of work but in the end, it’ll all be worth it! Can’t wait to see the progress as you renovate. Congratulations! 😎👍🏽
I’m excited!!! Years ago I saw a sunset magazine that has several pictures of restored vintage trailers like you have bought. I became a little obsessed. I live in a condo. I don’t have a place to store a trailer the area I live in is expensive expensive to store so my camping vehicle will be a compact van.
So excited for you guys! It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. Exciting and stressful all at the same time. I can’t wait to see what you guys do with it.
Amanda. I’m stoked for you. You will love it. A learning experience for sure. I’m in San Diego. I go to the Eastern Sierra. Im so happy for you guys. You might need a small space heater, and a little generator. Some federal camp grounds say reservations only, but do have first come first serve spots. See ya.
Great project!! I wanted to buy an old Scotty trailer and turn it into our air conditioned "living room" for travelling but opted to retirement instead! Best of luck, I'll be watching!!
We're excited! And Amanda, you youngin, that radio is from the 70's, I have a vintage camper from around 1968 that has the jalousie windows like yours. It needs wall repair, so I'll be watching and learning from you two. Good luck to both of you. This will be quite a project, but it will turn out great! P.S.: We loved the part at 3:05 to 3:10 , we could feel the doubts and the excitement! 😀
I love watching your videos and you have really made me feel so confident when it comes to camping so I KNOW you can do this and I am so excited to see you reno this thing!!
It is good that you love a challenge. I have been there, done that. Lot's of great advice and instruction on RU-vid. Some contradictory or at least different approaches. Best I found were Fallen into Camping renovation series and RV101 series. You are a continuing inspiration for me, I love your enthusiasm, growing wisdom, and sense of adventure.
So exciting! I love this project and I know it will be AH-MAZING when y’all finish! And I love those cute paneled windows. They remind me of windows on the back porch of my moms house which I think was also built in the 60s!
I'm excited for you. It is a big decision and also a new way to enjoy camping. Just be aware that some private campgrounds have age limit on RVs that they'll accept, which is 10 or 15 years in general.
I am excited to watch your progress. I have been learning some construction and woodworking and want to renovate an older camper to use as a guest casita. Good luck with your project, and have fun!
So funny, we have been tent campers for nearly 20 years and just bought our first trailer. I think we've spent nearly as much on extras and accessories as we did on the trailer! Congrats though, it's a total game changer! Be sure to get to know your vehicle's towing capacity, the ACTUAL weight of the trailer (CAT scales are useful), your actual tongue weight and capacity, and payload capacity. It's a lot to consider and more than I realized I needed to know, but super important.
Im excited for you! We have a 17 foot trailer and cant wait to get out and see all the national parks. I know you are going to love it and cant wait to see all the mods that you and nick do.
I am SO EXCITED about this!!!! Seriously, if I was to ever buy a camper, it would be one like this. I have no desire for the big fancy new ones, I dream about a vintage one!! If only there was a bathroom.....but you can't have it all 😂
